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Ulster Unionist Councillor Stephen Nicholl has condemned the Rev Ian Paisley for his Republican outburst against Her Majesty’s Ministers.

Speaking today Councillor Nicholl stated,

“Now that the hype of last week has died down we can take time to reflect on the many messages given but perhaps the most startling was the Rev Paisley’s outburst in which he stated

“Many of the problems are not of our making but are the making of squatters (Northern Ireland Office ministers), as I call them, from outside our country who flew in and flew out of here.”

Paisley’s adoption of such openly Republican language suggests that while his relationship with Martin appears very jovial and light hearted some of Martins Republican traits are rubbing off on Ian.

The term ‘squatters’ suggests illegal occupation; of course a key Republican position over the years has been that Government Ministers were illegally in Ireland. As to them coming from ‘outside our country’ unionists would view the United Kingdom as a national territory. While accepting that integration may be the purer form of unionism but that devolution provides more accountable government for the regions it is clear that we can never view Her Majesty’s representatives as ‘squatters’ within the United Kingdom ruled by her.

Since the joint tenants of the OFMDM both now believe, apparently, that the British Government held office here illegally what now is the future for the union. >From Paisley’s comments it would appear that we could well drift into a Home Rule scenario where his bitterness is focussed on Her Majesty’s Government while he looks for succour south of the border.

For Real Unionists the political struggle for the Union is only just beginning.”

Addressing an election event organised by NICVA today, Ulster Unionist candidate for South Antrim, Cllr Stephen Nicholl, has said that – rather than manage the current system – public service delivery in Northern Ireland must be transformed and renewed by a restored Assembly.

Around 75 representatives from the community and voluntary sector were present at the event asking questions to the candidates.

Speaking after the event, Cllr Nicholl said: “It is a privilege to meet with representatives from organisations who make a difference to the lives of constituents in communities across Northern Ireland.

“It is self-evident that Direct Rule is incapable of addressing the key issues facing our society. It is important that we go into the Assembly not to manage the current system but to transform the services we deliver. We need a devolved administration to deal with these issues for all of us.”

He added: “The community and voluntary sector does essential work with some of our most deprived communities. The questions asked ranged from house affordability, environmental protection, educational opportunities and the anti-poverty strategy – illustrating the range of pressing social issues a devolved executive will have to address.

Addressing an election event organised by NICVA today, Ulster Unionist candidate for South Antrim, Cllr Stephen Nicholl, has said that – rather than manage the current system – public service delivery in Northern Ireland must be transformed and renewed by a restored Assembly.

Around 75 representatives from the community and voluntary sector were present at the event asking questions to the candidates.

Speaking after the event, Cllr Nicholl said: “It is a privilege to meet with representatives from organisations who make a difference to the lives of constituents in communities across Northern Ireland.

“It is self-evident that Direct Rule is incapable of addressing the key issues facing our society. It is important that we go into the Assembly not to manage the current system but to transform the services we deliver. We need a devolved administration to deal with these issues for all of us.”

He added: “The community and voluntary sector does essential work with some of our most deprived communities. The questions asked ranged from house affordability, environmental protection, educational opportunities and the anti-poverty strategy – illustrating the range of pressing social issues a devolved executive will have to address.

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Ulster Unionist South Antrim assembly candidate Stephen Nicholl has called on the DUP to treat the people of Northern Ireland with respect and give them an answer honest answer to an honest question – ‘will the DUP share power on March 26?’

In a statement, Mr Nicholl said: “Just after the Sinn Fein policing motion we had one prominent DUP MP paraded before the media saying the DUP will not be found wanting when it comes to sharing power with Sinn Fein. Gregory Campbell is in Sunday’s papers saying power sharing on the 26th March won’t happen.

“Now we have DUP candidate in South Antrim Mel Lucas telling a local newspaper that Sinn Fein are ‘not going to get into government’.

Confusion reigns with some DUP candidates supporting power-sharing, some opposing it. What is the Party’s definitive position? If the DUP have no intention of sharing power on the 26th March, regardless of Sinn Fein movement, then the public should be told.

It is clear that the DUP want to go through the election without making any commitments, decisions, or explaining what the outworking of their ‘strategy’ is. This can’t be the Fair Deal they were promising, because there’s nothing fair about that.

He added: “How can the DUP make a positive contribution to devolved government when they’re confused about whether they even want it in the first place? And if power-sharing is coming they’re still confused about when it should arrive.

How can a Unionist party really be so divided on the idea of administering power on behalf of British citizens within the framework of devolved government within the United Kingdom?

For some DUP members, the Party’s St Andrews Agreement consultation process is still ongoing. Maybe the Party should just get on with making a clear decision about it they’re asking people to vote for?”

Ulster Unionist South Antrim assembly candidate Stephen Nicholl has called on the DUP to treat the people of Northern Ireland with respect and give them an answer honest answer to an honest question – ‘will the DUP share power on March 26?’

In a statement, Mr Nicholl said: “Just after the Sinn Fein policing motion we had one prominent DUP MP paraded before the media saying the DUP will not be found wanting when it comes to sharing power with Sinn Fein. Gregory Campbell is in Sunday’s papers saying power sharing on the 26th March won’t happen.

“Now we have DUP candidate in South Antrim Mel Lucas telling a local newspaper that Sinn Fein are ‘not going to get into government’.

Confusion reigns with some DUP candidates supporting power-sharing, some opposing it. What is the Party’s definitive position? If the DUP have no intention of sharing power on the 26th March, regardless of Sinn Fein movement, then the public should be told.

It is clear that the DUP want to go through the election without making any commitments, decisions, or explaining what the outworking of their ‘strategy’ is. This can’t be the Fair Deal they were promising, because there’s nothing fair about that.

He added: “How can the DUP make a positive contribution to devolved government when they’re confused about whether they even want it in the first place? And if power-sharing is coming they’re still confused about when it should arrive.

How can a Unionist party really be so divided on the idea of administering power on behalf of British citizens within the framework of devolved government within the United Kingdom?

For some DUP members, the Party’s St Andrews Agreement consultation process is still ongoing. Maybe the Party should just get on with making a clear decision about it they’re asking people to vote for?”

UUP Antrim Councillor Stephen Nicholl has called on Agriculture Minister David Cairns to ‘take his responsibilities seriously’ after learning that the Minister is refusing to meet with farmers affected by the A6 dualing scheme.

The Minister claims he has a conflict of interest in his role as Minister for Regional Development.

Councillor Nicholl said:

“We have a situation where a large number of farms are affected by this scheme, some to the point where this new road will render currently viable, sustainable farms unviable.

“Those affected have sought a meeting with the Agriculture Minister and expect him to be in their corner. Instead, they have found that he has been deflected from his role by civil servants who see a conflict of interest with his role as Regional Development Minister.

“We continue to have a situation where some civil servants view the agricultural sector as simply a land bank for their private use and this appears to be a particularly strong view in Roads Service. There is no recognition that farms are businesses, many existing on very tight margins, and the impact of significant disruption can be to destroy a business that has taken generations to build and develop.

“The DARD strategic plan 2006 – 2011 states ‘We will continue to develop our relationships with other departments to ensure that they take into account rural needs when developing their policies and procedures.’ Yet when given the opportunity to turn rhetoric into reality the Minister fails to live up to his responsibility.

“I call on the Minister to treat his role seriously and meet with those farmers most affected. The rural community in this area has a right to expect the Agriculture Minister to at least listen to their issues. If he cannot, then surely he must step aside and hand his portfolio to someone who is not in conflict with another role in their support for the rural community”.

Antrim Borough Councillor Stephen Nicholl has said that dog owners must take responsibility for their pets, ensuring that there animals are neutered and well cared for.

His comments follow recently revealed figures by the Dogs Trust which show that  almost half the number of stray dogs put down in the UK are from Northern Ireland. More than 11,000 dogs were found last year and 4,000 of these had to be destroyed because a home could not be found for them.

Mr Nicholl said:

“This is an absolute disgrace and something which could be prevented if people were more responsible. I know dog owners may be squeamish about neutering their animals, but if they don’t, the result will be unwanted puppies without a home and who will eventually have to be put down.

There really is no excuse and subsidized neutering for those with low incomes, it’s even easier. Dog owners should also ensure their pets are put on a lead for their walks to ensure there animals are under control”.